As China undergoes a sweeping economic transition, its regions are also in the process of embracing change. The powerhouses of yesteryear must adapt or risk falling behind, as traditional industries become less reliable growth drivers and new sectors take prominence. In this series, we explore three representative areas of the country as they attempt to navigate this rapidly changing environment.
After Joyce Wu moved from Hainan province to Hong Kong in 2013, she marvelled for years at the increasingly crowded skyline of Haikou on visits home. The gleaming high-rises continued to spring up across the southern island’s capital as an economic boom, driven by property values, reshaped the city.
Around 2020, that momentum began to fade. In place of cranes and concrete, Wu noticed a quieter shift: more professionals and foreign academics arriving through university partnerships, and growing business interest from outside the province.
